Fatialofa fund-raising campaign launched following his move to specialist spinal injury clinic

Worcester Warriors have thrown their support behind a campaign to raise funds for injured lock Michael Fatialofa, who has now been moved to a specialist spinal injuries clinic at the Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital in Aylesbury.

The New Zealander suffered a serious neck injury within a minute of coming on as a replacement in the Gallagher Premiership match against Saracens at Allianz Park on January 4.

After four weeks in St Mary’s Hospital in London – three in intensive care – his injuries leave him facing damaged function, feeling and control over his body and a long period of rehabilitation and recovery.

A fundraising campaign has now been set up by the Rugby Players’ Association’s Restart charity to provide for his immediate needs, future costs and unforeseen expenses. 

“Since Michael suffered his injury there have been so many offers of support from across the rugby community,” said Warriors’ co-owner Colin Goldring on the club’s website. 

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“We have been working closely with Michael and Tatiana (his wife), the RPA and their Restart initiative, the RFU Injured Players Foundation, Pacific Rugby Players, New Zealand Rugby Foundation, the New Zealand Rugby Players Association and Esportif, Michael’s management company, to produce a coordinated plan to provide Michael with the best possible support.

“As an established charity which already provides support for seriously injured professional players, Restart was best-placed to provide co-ordinated support for Michael in the short, medium and long-term.

“Warriors are fully supportive of the campaign that has been launched and we would like supporters who want to support Michael and his family to donate to the JustGiving page.

“Warriors are continuing to employ Michael and have also covered the costs of a private hospital to ensure that he has the best possible care and as a starting donation to the fund-raising. Discussions about major fundraising events are continuing and we hope to announce further details in the near future.”

Donations to support Fatialofa can be made at justgiving.com/campaign/michaelfatialofa.

- warriors.co.uk

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